Gabe might have won that round - even if it was, once again, by cheating - but Skulduggery wanted to make it clear that he had tried to stop the Archangel from doing anything strenuous. If there was hell to pay in the form of Kenspeckle Grouse, Gabriel would have to deal with it. Skulduggery officially washed his hands of all responsibility.

There was no denying how much simpler this would be, though, with Gabe in tow.

"I am known for being unique," he answered Marr slowly. "I didn't plan this one, though. I'm sorry, is she my replacement?" Skulduggery directed this last part at Guild, one finger extended in an accusatory point towards Davina Marr. "Really? And you thought I was unfairly biased?"

Guild was sputtering. It was beautiful to watch. He tried and failed to regain some sense of authority, and then his gaze was drawn to Skulduggery's hand. Immediately, his expression darkened. "A rosary?"

His tone told Skulduggery all he needed to know. Short of Gabe revealing his true form, there was absolutely no way Guild would ever guess his real identity. Not that Skulduggery could blame him; it hadn't even been on his own list of possibilities at the Institute. When you knew the Faceless Ones existed, you didn't think about anything beyond even them.

But still, Skulduggery hesitated as he dropped his hand. They'd all have to be careful from here on out. "I needed a hobby," he replied with a wave of his other hand - the one holding the gun. "Did you know living skeletons can't possibly exist? I wonder if that's something you have to go and repent for."